Renewables market to provide boost for Scottish businesses

Posted on 5/02/2013 by Wayne Brophy FCILT

The logistics sector in Scotland could soon be set for a huge boost as the region prepares to develop its renewable energy plants.

The Scottish National Party recently announced plans for the creation of 500 wind farms, all of which will either enter the construction phase or at the very least be granted planning permission this year.

Longer term plans to generate “the equivalent of all Scotland’s electricity from renewable sources by the end of the decade” are also taking shape.

If these plans come to fruition businesses in the area will undoubtedly benefit from cheaper, greener energy, enabling them to cut their costs and carbon footprint, therefore facilitating an expansion in operations.

This, in turn, is likely to result in the creation of large numbers of new logistics jobsin order to support the increased production and transportation of goods.

On top of this, the construction of renewable energy plants is likely to generate new contracts for logistics suppliers, with a number of companies already benefiting from this.

Transportation firm Malcolm Logistics, for example, has been awarded a multi-million-pound contract to deliver wood chippings to a new biomass plant which is currently being built in Fife.

The combined heat and power (CHP) plant at Markinch is owned by energy firm RWE npower renewables, and the facility’s procurement manager Steve Martin has pledged the company’s commitment to supporting the Scottish Supply chain.

Mr Martin commented: “RWE is keen to contract with regional service providers such as Malcolm Logistics, which will continue to create new opportunities for businesses that will in turn generate investment in the local economy,” The Courier reports.

Consequently, Malcolm logistics will also be taking on new staff as it looks to expand its workforce in order to meet the demand generated by this new contract.

“In order to service the contract we are expanding our fleet initially by five vehicles, but see this growing steadily, and opening a satellite depot close to the Cardenden site — thus generating economic benefits and employment opportunities within the region,” said Jim Clark, managing director of Malcolm Logistics.

Cast UK is one of the country's leading professional level supply chain recruitment consultancies. Fill your next vacancy with us today!